michael d melet

PORTFOLIO

My Work (2008 - Present)

​​

My artwork falls into the following categories: Graphite Pencil; Pen/Ink; Pen/Ink and Watercolor; Acrylic; Collage; Assemblage; and Mixed Media. I frequently work in the same medium on two or three piece simultaneously. Architecture has always interested me, both the exteriors and interiors of homes and buildings. Acrylic paint is relatively new for me. I will be exploring oil painting shortly.

I have been commissioned to do work for individuals and families. These images are included in my portfolio and designated as such. My collages are primarily made up of images from fashion magazines that I have clipped and filed for the past 25 years. Some of my mixed-media pieces utilize the spines of fashion magazines. I find the texture of these spines make interesting pieces . . . as is or painted.

I have always carried a pencil and small sketchbook and have dabbled in pencil drawing for as long as I can remember. I am amazed at what can be created with a traditional No. 2 yellow pencil. Years ago I thought the harder I pressed down on the paper the darker the shade would be. Then I discovered pencils B1 - B9, F, H, and H1 - H9, which have softer and harder leads, and charcoal pencils.

Graphite (Pencil)

African Elephant

Graphite pencil on paper

9" x 11 1/2" Framed 18" x 21 1/2"

$1,500.

Print $125.

African Elephant II

Graphite pencil on paper

14" x 14" Framed 16" x 16"

$1250.

Print $125.

African Elephant Eyes

Graphite pencil on paper (2 images on same paper )

14" x 17" Framed 23" x 27"

$950.

Prints $125

African Elephant Eye II

Graphite pencil, Gouache on canvas board

14" x 11"

$350.

Prints $125.

Lion​

Graphite pencil on Paper

11" x 14"

SOLD

Prints $125

Pitcher in Window

Graphite pencil on Paper

14" x 17"

$1250.

Prints $125.

No One Home

Graphite pencil on paper

14" x 17"

$1250.

Prints $125.

Girl's Best Friend

Graphite pencil on paper

14" x 17"

$1250.

Prints $125.

East Village I

Graphite Pencil on Paper

8 1/4" x 11"

$400.

Prints $125.

East Village II

Graphite Pencil on Paper11" x 14"$650.Prints $125.

Capital Theater

Marquee

Graphite Pencil on Paper8 1/2" x 11"PORPrints $125.

Shoes

Graphite pencil on Paper

12" x 9"

$250.

Print $75.

CEDAR 9-7974

Graphite pencil on paper

14" x 11"

$450.

Prints $125.

"Casual Fridays"

Growing up we had a device, a steroscope, by which two photographs of the same object taken at slightly different angles are viewed together, creating an impression of depth. We bought slids of separate images, depicting left-eye and right-eye views of the same scene, as a single three-dimensional image. Using a pencil I drew one of those slides (on right) and a larger image on left.

For the past 25+ years I have clipped and filed, by category, images that I find unique. These files have become my palette for collages. Occasionally I incorporate material such as used shopping bags, found objects, vintage paper, sheet music, and photographs. I find that using the collage medium can be the best way to capture my subject’s essence, either alone or in conjunction with other media.

Collage

Let Them Eat Cake

"Why should there be hunger and deprivation in any land, in any city, at any table, when man has the resources and the scientific know-how to provide all mankind with the basic necessities of life? There is no deficit in human resources. The deficit is in human will."Author Unknown

Let Them Eat Cake II

" . . . and somehow in the final analysis, as long as there is poverty in the world, no body can totally be rich."Author Unknown

CollageImage 24" X 36" Framed 27" X 30"$1850.

Let Them Eat Cake

Making the invisible, visible

CollageImage 24" X 36" Framed 27" X 30"$1850.

Let Them Eat Cake II

Making the invisible, visible

Homage to

George Braque & Pablo Picasso

Collage on Acrylic Paint

24" x 36"

$1250.

Homage to Pablo

Collage & Acrylic Paint

20" x 24"

$450.

Her

Collage

18" x 24"

$750

Her (Show Invitation)

Postcard & Poster

Both

Collage

18" x 24"

$750

Chins

Collage

14" x 17"

SOLD

Meat

Collage

16" x 20"

$550.

Hair

Collage

20" x 24"

$550.

Lolita

Collage

20" x 24"

$950

Legs

Collage

20" x 24"

$550.

Parts​​

Collage

20" x 24"

​$250.

Homage to 9/11

New York Times Photographs on Paper8" x 12"SOLDPrints $45.

Homage to 9/11

New York Times Photographs on Paper8" x 12"SOLDPrints $45.​

America & Flint's Water Crisis

When the ubiquitous Flint Water Crisis news heated up I felt compelled to go to my studio. Munch’s images of “The Scream” visually epitomized everything I was seeing, hearing and feeling.

The Scream by the Expressionist artist Edvard Munch (1863 – 1944) is the popular name given to each of five versions of a composition, were done between 1893 and 1910. The German title Munch gave these works is Der Schrei der Natur (The Scream of Nature).

With this painting, Munch met his stated goal of "the study of the soul, that is to say the study of my own self. Munch wrote of how the painting came to be: "I was walking down the road with two friends when the sun set; suddenly, the sky turned as red as blood. I stopped and leaned against the fence, feeling unspeakably tired. Tongues of fire and blood stretched over the bluish black fjord. My friends went on walking, while I lagged behind, shivering with fear. Then I heard the enormous, infinite scream of nature." He later described the personal anguish behind the painting, "for several years I was almost mad… You know my picture, 'The Scream?' I was stretched to the limit—nature was screaming in my blood… After that I gave up hope ever of being able to love again."

Pen/ink and watercolor has been my favorite media when drawing architectral images. I often insert photographs of buildings into my images (colllage). The highest compliment I can receive is when the observer of these works asks me, "What part is photograph and what part is your artwork?"

East 4th St Building (Center) Before & After

(Far left) A photograph of a deteriorated building in Soho (center building) with my pen/ink and watercolor drawing of adjacent buildings. (Right) My pen/ink drawing of how I imagine the center building could be renovated, with photographs of the adjacent buildings. Thus, "Before & After."

East 4th St (Before)

Pen/Ink Watercolor Collage on Paper8" x 10"SOLD

East 4th St (After)

Pen/Ink Watercolor Collage on Paper8" x 10"

SOLD

Pen/Ink Watercolor/Collage Multiple Glass Layers

The following eight images I used multiple layers of glass to attain a dimensional effect. They are all 8" x 10" pen/ink and watercolor. The first four are my work with a photograph (collages), the next four are entirely pen/ink and watercolor.

Antebellum Charleston SC

This piece uses multiple layers of glass to attain a dimensional effect. Below are 4 images of the layers that make up the completed "Antebellum Charleston" piece on left.

Pen/Ink Watercolor Collage on Paper Between Muliple Layers of Glass

8" 10"

$450.

Layer 4 and Layer 3

Layer 4 and Layer 3

(Far left) Layer 4 - Upper right is home in pen/ink and watercolor. The two green and brown watercolor arches match trees (Layer 3) that are layered on top of them.

Layer 2 and Layer 1

Layer 2 and Layer 1

Layer 2 shows the door. Finally, Layer 1, placed on top, is a pen/ink and watercolor of the arch and wall, with photographs of plants. In total there are 4 layers of glass and 4 layers of artwork. The layers are then lined up and gently set into the frame.

Venice

Pen/Ink Watercolor Collage on Paper 2 Multible Layers of Glass

8" x 10"

Sold

English Courtyard

Pen/Ink Watercolor Collage on Paper 2 Multible layers of Glass

8' x 10"

SOLD

Italy

Pen/Ink Watercolor Collage 4 Multible Layers of Glass

8" x 10"

SOLD

Flint MI

Pen/Ink Watercolor 3 Multible Layers of Glass

10" x 8"

SOLD

Across From Zingerman's

Ann Arbor MI

Pen/Ink and Watercolor 4 Multible Layers of Glass

10" x 8"

Commission

Ann Arbor MI

Pen/Ink Watercolor 4 Layers of Glass8" x 10"SOLD

Living Room

Ann Arbor MI

Pen/Ink Watercolor 4 Layers of Glass10" x 8"SOLD

Shutter Series

Plantation Porch

Pen/Ink Watercolor Collage on Paper

5" x 7"

SOLD

Prints $45.

Italian Hills

Pen/Ink Watercolor Collage on Paper

5" x 7"

SOLD

Prints $45.

Italy

Pen/Ink Watercolor Collage on Paper5" x 7"$175.Prints $45.

Italy II

Pen/Ink Watercolor Collage on Paper5" x 7"$175.Prints $45.

Italy III

Pen/Ink Watercolor Collage on Paper5" x 7"SOLD.Prints $45.

Italy IV

Pen/Ink Watercolor Collage on Paper5" x 7"SOLDPrints $45.

England

Pen/Ink Watercolor Collage on Paper5" x 7"$175.Prints $45.

Italy V

Pen/Ink Watercolor Collage on Paper5" x 7"$175.Prints $45.

Italy VI

Pen/Ink Watercolor Collage on Paper5" x 7"SOLDPrints $45.

England II

Pen/Ink Watercolor Collage on Paper5" x 7"$175.Prints $45.

Italy VII

Pen/Ink Watercolor Collage on Paper5" x 7"SOLDPrints $45.

England III

Pen/Ink Watercolor Collage on Paper5" x 7"$175.Prints $45.

Italy VIII

Pen/Ink Watercolor Collage on Paper5" x 7"$175.Prints $45.

Pen & Ink, Pen/Ink Watercolor & Pastel

waiting for . . .

I have always carried a small sketchpad, No 2 Pencil and my Pilot V5 pen. I draw constantly. I think you can call me a pathelogical doodler. I draw at board meetings, business meetings, on airplanes, vacations, waiting at doctor appointments, at car washes, during oil changes, waiting for grandchildren’s soccer games at coffee shops. . . Drawing a building or people is a way of remembering it properly. To draw something you observe carefully and mentally absorb it.

When finished, I always write “Waiting for . . . .” These images are some of the drawings, sketches or doodles I have done over the years . . . while waiting for . . .

Mixed Media is any artwork I create that contains material found, used or originally meant for some other purpose. I sometimes refer to them as Assemblages.

Reflections

This assemblage is my tribute to 9/11. I took an old wire farmer’s fence and weaved ripped fragments of our flag into it. Below the flag, an old discarded metal tray serves as a frame. I used an actual photo of the New York City skyline without the Twin Towers and below it I drew, with graphite pencil, a reflection on the Hudson River of the skyline including the Twin Towers. Threads from the flag were affixed to the frame and placed below on the floor.

This piece is the profile of an actual classic Chinese bronze vessel. Frottage (actual rubbings) along both sides and bottom of neck. The Chinese calligraphy and English description are done by hand.

Acrylic Paint Pen/Ink Graphite Pencil Rubbings on Corregated Board

42" x 35"

$450.

Homage to Mondrian

Vintage Wooden Bar Stools

12' x12' x 32"

​Consignment

SOLD

Homage to Alberto Giacometti

Used Paper Staples Magnets Behind Paper

14" 17"

SOLD

Tree Ornament

Acrylic Paint Pen on Glass 6" Clear Bulb

6" Diam.

SOLD

Tree Ornament

Acrylic Paint on Plastic Clear Bulb

6" Diam.

SOLD

Tree Ornament

Acrylic Paint on Plastic Clear Bulb

6" Diam.

SOLD

Stone Arrangement

Lake Michigan Stones on Vintage Slate School Blackboard

22" x 13"

$350.

Stone Arrangement II

Stones on Rusted Metal

3" x 11"

$125.

Loroglyphics

(Not Egyptian)

Pen/Ink Vintage Paper Staple on Paper

14" x 14"

SOLD

Fashion Magazine Spines

For the past 30 years I go through 4 -6 fashion magazines every month. I tear out the magazine's pages. I file much of the magazine (ads & fashion photographs). Recycle pages I discard. What is left are the spines. I started using these spines in my artwork a few years ago.

America

Fashion Magazines Spines

20" x 10"

Frame Part of Flag

$450.

All 50

Fashion Magazine Spines

48" x 12" Frame part of Piece

$750.

All 50 (detail)

All 50 (detail)

. . . our flag was still there

Raw Magazine Spines Acrylic Paint

33.75" x 18.25" Flag attached to Frame

SOLD

Detail

Detail

Raw Fashion Magazine Spines on Japanese Moniki Paper

24" x 36"

$750.

Someone once told me when you have scraps make a Quilt

Raw Spine on Diagonal

Raw Magazine Spine on Canvas

20" x 20"

SOLD

Pizza Pie

Acrylic Painted Magazine Spine on Canvas

20" x 20"

SOLD

White on Black

Acrylic Painted Magazine Spines on Canvas

24" x 24

SOLD

Both Sides Now

Lyrics by Joni Mitchell

Pen/Ink Caligraphy on Fashion Megazine Spines

11" x 14"

$125.

Homage to Barnett Newman

Pen/Ink Color Pencil pencil Shavings on Paper20" x 16"$250.

Homage to Barnett Newman

Magazine Spines Pen/Ink Color Pencil on Paper 14 x 17SOLD

Pieces

Magazine Spines on Board

8" x 10"

SOLD

Acrylic Paint

I began using acrylics a couple years ago. The fast-drying nature of this medium can be both a positive and negative. The bright colors are exciting and the ability to mix them appeals to me, especially compared to watercolors.

Acrylic Paint Vintage Printed Bank Check Collage on Canvas

18" x 20"

$150

St. Lawrence County Bank

Caisse No 23

Acrylic Paint Vintage Papers Collage on Canvas

18" x 20"

$150.

A Sharp

Acrylic Paint Sheet Music Other Papers Collage on Canvas

18" x 20"

SOLD

Genesse Co. Michigan

Acrylic Paint Vintage Envelope Collage on Canvas

18" x 20"

$150.

Bob

Acrylic Paint on Canvas

8" x 10"

NFS

Homage to Francis Bacon

Acrylic Paint on Canvas Acrylic Paint on Glass

8" x 10"

$175.

Harmonica Man

Acrylic Paint on Canvas

8" x 10"

SOLD

Print $45.

Splash of Color

Acrylic Paint on Canvas

8" x 10"

$100.

Detail

Acrylic Paint Pen/Ink on Canvas

20" x 18"

$175.

So Many Colors So Little Time

Ditch Beach 4th of July

Acrylic Paint Pen/Ink on Canvas Board

12" x 9"

SOLD

Montauk Summer

Acrylic Paint Pen/Ink on Canvas

12" x 9"

$50.

Masonic Initiation Well of the Quinta da Regaleira

Located near the historic center of Sintra, Portugal

This initiatory well has the appearance of an inverted tower with a spiral staircase, supported by columns with carved capitals. Its nine levels are said to be reminiscent of the Divine Comedy by Dante and the nine circles of Hell, the nine sections of Purgatory, and the nine skies that constitute Paradise.

The well was never used, nor intended for water collection. Instead, this mysterious underground tower was used for secretive initiation rites. At the bottom of the well, one must walk through a labyrinth of wet, low-ceilinged caves. I was immediately enthralled by the architecture and history. Thus, drawing the well in five different mediums.